Coupling apparatus

Abstract

For use in connecting first and second pipes, an apparatus which incorporates an external sleeve adapted to be abutted against a flange and positioned about a first pipe and enclosing oppositely facing sets of tapered slips. The slips incorporate serrations to enable them to grip the first pipe. An encircling cavity receives fluid under high pressure and hydraulically forces the two sets of slips to an actuated position, firmly gripping the first pipe. This provides a good mechanical connection of the connector to the first pipe. The second pipe is preferably connected to the flange. A separate set of fluid seals prevent leakage. They are actuated by means of a second set of pistons which hydraulically force the seal members with adequate pressure to cause them to seal the connection of the first and second pipes. The coupling apparatus has a separate mechanical coupling and an isolated seal mechanism which are separately actuated.

I claim: 
     
       1. A pipe coupling device for leak-proof connection of two pipes comprising a tubular sleeve adapted to be telescoped about a first pipe which extends into said sleeve;   an expandable pipe gripping means within said sleeve for selectively gripping the first pipe therein;   a housing which is connected to said sleeve and receives the first pipe therein, said housing incorporating an opening adapted to be connected into a second pipe and which pipe is to be connected to the first pipe;   an encircling fluid seal means within said housing having an outer surface which seals against said housing and an inner surface which seals against the outer surface of the first pipe on its insertion into said seal means;   first means for actuating said gripping means to grip the first pipe to hold said sleeve relative to the pipe; and wherein said pipe gripping means and said first means include   a pair of fluid actuated movable pistons;   a chamber means for said pistons which is adapted to receive fluid under pressure to force said pistons apart;   a pair of oppositely facing slips and co-acting tapered surfaces for wedging said slips toward the first pipe to grip and hold the first pipe, said slips working against each other to hold said tubular sleeve relative to the first pipe; and,   means for securing and holding said pistons apart after movement and,   second means for actuating said fluid seal means to sealing operation.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said seal means includes a plurality of circular seal members within said housing and a slidable piston abutting said seal members, and said second means incorporates means for securing and holding said piston after movement to the position achieved on pressurizing said seal members. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said last named means includes a ratchet mechanism engaging a mating set of shoulders to lock thereagainst. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ratchet mechanism includes at least a pair of resiliently deflectable fingers having an exposed face formed into a plurality of threads cut therein, and said mating shoulders are a set of threads formed on a tubular member. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fingers are a set of collet fingers movable with said piston along said tubular member. 
     
     
       6. A pipe coupling device for leak-proof connection of two pipes comprising a tubular sleeve adapted to be telescoped about a first pipe which extends into said sleeve;   an expandable pipe gripping means within said sleeve for selectively gripping the first pipe therein;   a housing which is connected to said sleeve and receives the first pipe therein, said housing incorporating an opening adapted to be connected into a second pipe and which pipe is to be connected to the first pipe;   an encircling fluid seal means within said housing having an outer surface which seals against said housing and an inner surface which seals against the outer surface of the first pipe on its insertion into said seal means;   first means for actuating said gripping means to grip the first pipe to hold said sleeve relative to the pipe; and,   second means for actuating said fluid seal means to sealing operation; p1 wherein said housing encloses   a plurality of seal elements having an outer surface and an inner surface, which elements seal on axial pressure thereon;   a shoulder abutting said seal elements;   a circular piston abutting said seal elements;   chamber means in said housing for slidably receiving said piston and for receiving a fluid under pressure to force said piston against said seal elements to expand them into sealing contact with the wall of said housing and the first pipe inserted therein; and,   ratchet means cooperative with said piston for holding its position after movement in said chamber means to continue the force against said seal elements.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said tubular sleeve encloses first and second oppositely facing, axially displaced tapered surfaces;   first and second radially contractable slips operatively engaged with said tapered surfaces, each having an internal cylindrical surface facing the first pipe on insertion thereinto;   first and second pistons;   chamber means for receiving said first and second pistons, said pistons being deployed such that said pistons, on introduction of fluid under pressure, force said slips against said tapered surfaces to cause said slips to contract and grip the pipe and hold it securely relative to said housing;   a set of deflectable fingers carried on one of said pistons;   a set of threads on the other of said pistons, said fingers being provided with a ratcheting means thereon and contacted with said threads wherein said threads permit movement of said pistons in a direction to contract said slips and lock with said ratcheting means to prevent movement in the opposite direction.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said housing and tubular sleeve connect axially at a pair of facing flanges. 
     
     
       9. A pipe coupling device for leak-proof connection of two pipes comprising a tubular sleeve adapted to be telescoped about a first pipe which extends into said sleeve;   an expandable pipe gripping means within said sleeve for selectively gripping the first pipe therein;   a housing which is connected to said sleeve and receives the first pipe therein, said housing incorporating an opening adapted to be connected into a second pipe and which pipe is to be connected to the first pipe;   an encircling fluid seal means within said housing having an outer surface which seals against said housing and an inner surface which seals against the outer surface of the first pipe on its insertion into said seal means;   first means for actuating said gripping means to grip the first pipe to hold said sleeve relative to the pipe; and,   second means for actuating said fluid seal means to sealing operation;   said tubular sleeve enclosing   first and second oppositely facing, axially displaced tapered surfaces;   first and second radially contractable slips operatively engaged with said tapered surfaces, each having an internal cylindrical surface facing the first pipe on insertion thereinto;   first and second pistons;   chamber means for receiving said first and second pistons, said pistons being deployed such that said pistons, on introduction of fluid under pressure, said slips against said tapered surfaces to cause said slips to contract and grip the pipe to hold it securely relative to said housing;   a set of deflectable fingers carried on one of said pistons;   a set of threads on the other of said pistons, said fingers being provided with a ratcheting means thereon and contacted with said threads wherein said threads permit movement of said pistons in a direction to contract said slips and lock with said ratcheting means to prevent movement in the opposite direction.   
     
     
       10. A pipe coupling device for leak-proof connection of two pipes comprising a tubular sleeve adapted to be telescoped about a first pipe which extends into said sleeve;   an expandable pipe gripping means within said sleeve for selectively gripping the first pipe therein;   a housing which is connected to said sleeve and receives the first pipe therein, said housing incorporating an opening adapted to be connected into a second pipe and which pipe is to be connected to the first pipe:   encircling fluid seal means within said housing having a sealing surface expandable into a sealing contact with the first pipe positioned therein and said housing, said seal means preventing leakage therepast;   said seal means being positioned relative to said sleeve and said housing to seal leakage from the first and second pipes;   first means for actuating said seal means to sealing operation;   second means independent of said first means for actuating said gripping means to grip the first pipe to secure it in fixed axial relationship   and wherein said pipe gripping means and said second means include   a pair of fluid actuated movable pistons;   a chamber means for said pistons which is adapted to receive fluid under pressure to force said pistons apart;   a pair of oppositely facing slips and co-acting tapered surfaces for wedging said slips toward the first pipe to grip and hold the first pipe, said slips working against each other to hold said tubular sleeve relative to the first pipe;   lock means for securing said pipe gripping means in the expanded condition after operation of said second means.